Resveratrol: a miracle ingredient?
Resveratrol is a highly potent polyphenol that has been at the center of the French paradox controversy. In the 90s it was considered to be a "paradox of the French". ingredient In this article, we'll see if these claims are true. But above all, don will discuss the benefits of resveratrol for the skin and how to use products containing it.
Resveratrol: The French paradox
Resveratrol was first isolated by a Japanese researcher in 1939, but it was only in the 1990s that this polyphenol really came to the fore. In 1991, researchers at the University of Bordeaux highlighted an apparent contradiction: while the French consume more animal fats than others, they are less prone to cardiovascular disease. They call it the French paradox. And among the leads, the resveratrol contained in red wine was the ideal candidate. In the early 2000s, one study even suggested that resveratrol might extend the life expectancy of worms or flies by increasing the production of sirtuins, but this study was controversial, so it's difficult to draw any conclusions.
Personally, I don't believe that any single ingredient is capable of extending lifespan, but that only a combination of habits can achieve this goal, through diet, exercise and simply taking care of ourselves. A recent study has shown that the Mediterranean diet improves the results of immunotherapy treatments against melanoma.
Resveratrol's action on the skin:
The first benefit is that resveratrol is a antioxidant and a particularity of antioxidants in facial care is their ability to reduce the damage caused by the sun's rays. After exposure to the sun, our keratinocytes are in a bad state, with an increase in free radicals and the production of harmful inflammatory substances. Resveratrol not only attacks free radicals, but also acts indirectly, sending signals to our cells to produce their own anti-inflammatory molecules. So they reduce the harmful effects of UV rays when combined with sun protection. Don't even get me started on the idea that an anti-oxidant serum can replace sun cream.
Anti-inflammatory action of resveratrol to improve redness, as inflammation dilates vessels in the skin and encourages the formation of new blood vessels. That's why you should never aggress your skin when it's prone to redness.
In addition, a number of studies have shown that resveratrol helps to reduce wrinkles The antioxidant activity of resveratrol protects our existing proteins, and resveratrol may also activate estrogen receptors in our skin cells. Activation of these receptors promotes collagen production and may compensate to some extent for the loss of elasticity that can occur with menopause. You'll notice that I'm using the conditional tense, because unfortunately we need more studies along the same lines to really validate its effects.
Resveratrol also has an effect on hyperpigmentation always with a dual action on tyrosinase, an enzyme involved in melanin synthesis.
One of resveratrol's latest properties, and not the least important, is that it reduces acne by targeting the cutibacterium bacterium.
Facial care with resveratrol
When we talk about a cosmetic ingredient, we need to know whether it can penetrate the skin, and resveratrol's size means it can penetrate the skin relatively easily, so I can confidently present you with 4 cosmetic products.
How can you incorporate resveratrol into your skincare routine?
We're going to look at how to incorporate resveratrol into your skincare routine, and from my point of view, the best time is in the morning because it's an excellent antioxidant that enhances our protection against UV rays when used before sunscreen. Of course, resveratrol is not the only antioxidant available in cosmetics, and there are many alternatives. The most powerful antioxidant to be found in facial skincare is L-ascorbic acid, also known as pure vitamin C, but it has one drawback: it can be irritating. Resveratrol is therefore an alternative to vitamin C, but it's not the only one. There's also vitamin E, known as tocopherol, ferulic acid, the Q10 coenzyme, lipoic acid and superoxide dismutase. Other possible alternatives are the polyphenols found in green tea or ginseng extracts. To sum up, there are many anti-oxidants available in cosmetics, and your objective should be to find the one that suits you best.
Reference:
Hecker A, Schellnegger M, Hofmann E, Luze H, Nischwitz SP, Kamolz LP, Kotzbeck P. The impact of resveratrol on skin wound healing, scarring, and aging. Int Wound J. 2022 Jan;19(1):9-28. doi: 10.1111/iwj.13601. Epub 2021 May 5. PMID: 33949795; PMCID: PMC8684849.